April 13, 2011 Council Meeting Minutes
DANUBE CITY COUNCIL
Regular Council Meeting
Wednesday, April 13, 2011 7:00 PM
Danube City Council Chambers
A regular meeting of the Danube City Council was conducted on April 13, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. with Mayor Gene Allex presiding.
The following Councilmembers were present: Bob Simpson, Al Strunc, Ryan Bentley, and Dave Maurice
Councilmembers absent: none
Others Present: Chief of Police, City Clerk-Treasurer Sara Wilson, and media
Swear in New Councilmember
New councilmember Dave Maurice was sworn into office.
Councilmember Simpson moved and Councilmember Bentley seconded a motion to approve the Agenda with the addition of “Xcel Energy update” under Old Business and “School Rental” under New Business. The motion carried unanimously.
Approval of Minutes
Councilmember Strunc moved and Councilmember Simpson seconded a motion to approve the minutes from the regular meeting of March 23, 2011. The motion carried unanimously.
2nd Street East Bids
Three (3) bids were received from the following companies:
Corporation Total Base Bid
Chad Monson Excavating, Inc $249,702.85
Duininck, Inc. $275,346.50
Central Specialties, Inc. $322,524.00
The city engineer, Lee Elfering, recommended in a memo to the City Council, to award the project to the low bidder, Chad Monson Excavating, Inc.
Councilmember Strunc moved and Councilmember Maurice seconded a motion to award the 2nd Street Improvements Project to the low bidder, Chad Monson Excavating, Inc., in the amount of $249,702.85. Mayor Allex and Councilmember Bentley voted in favor of the motion and Councilmember Simpson voted against the motion.
Chief of Police Les Schneider Employee Report
Chief of Police Les Schneider was present to give his monthly employee report. Statistics for March were down slightly from March of last year and were as follows: 48 calls, 27 reports, 34 traffic stops, 14 citations, 29 mutual assists, and 4 home security checks.
Chief Schneider reported on his attendance at the 2011 Executive Training Institute held in St. Cloud. He informed the council that the youth and church activities are now done at the school and Tri-Valley will be fully staffed mid-May. Schneider stated that the Community Center has remained busy and an outlet to run the custodian’s time clock was installed by Sullivan’s Electric. The new squad car will arrive at the end of April or beginning of May.
Chief Schneider also reported that there will be a mock school bus crash training held on May 25. LETG software is being installed by the Sheriff’s Office. The City is in the process of getting set up to be part of the State’s Cooperative Purchasing Agreement to get better pricing when buying various items.
Councilmember Strunc voiced his concern over one of the part-time officers not being trained to deal with a lift station problem with both Kaufenberg and Schneider are out of town. Strunc wants to make sure both part-time officers are trained in what to do when the pump light is flashing. Schneider said he will take care of that.
Fill Empty Appointed Positions
Upon Mayor Allex’s request, Councilmember Bentley moved and Councilmember Simpson seconded a motion to appoint Councilmember Dave Maurice to the following: Employee Supervisor of Sara Wilson and Les Schneider; Legal, Brush Site & Police Dept; City Building; and Community Center. Gene Allex appointed as Employee Supervisor to Sara Wilson. Motion carried unanimously. New 2011 Appointment List Attached.
Custodian Position
Clerk Wilson informed the City Council that there were 15 applications turned in for the custodian position at the Community Center. She asked whether they wanted to through all of them at the meeting or have a couple Councilmembers go through them at a later time and make a recommendation to the council.
Because Councilmembers Strunc and Maurice are on the Community Center committee, they will meet on Thursday to go through the applications.
Xcel Energy Update
Clerk Wilson notified the council that she had been in touch with Brian Mielke of Xcel Energy on several occasions regarding a rebuild of Xcel’s substation located on the outskirts of Danube. Xcel plans to rebuild it in order to service the needs of Coop Country Farmers Elevator. After questions arose from the council regarding the size of the rebuild, the clerk was asked to have a representative from Xcel Energy come to the next council meeting.
Approval of Bills
Councilmember Bentley moved and Councilmember Maurice seconded a motion to approve the bills as submitted in the amount of $ 36,871.18. The motion carried unanimously.
Terms of Office
Clerk Wilson gave the City Council some updated information regarding the council seat that Dave Maurice was appointed to. Since Sharon Lothert resigned during the first half of her 4 year term, there will be a special election held during the next regular election for the final 2 years of that term. Councilmember Maurice will fill the term from now until December 31, 2012. On the next ballot, in 2012, there will be a special 2 year term, two (2) 4 year terms and the Mayor seat. Councilmember Maurice or anyone else may run for any of those seats.
Internet Service Quotes
Clerk Wilson presented quotes for internet service to the council. The best deal was to switch internet to TDS (which is the current telephone company). The City can get phone service for 4 lines and internet for the City Office Building and the Police Dept/City Shop for $262 per month.
Councilmember Strunc moved and Councilmember Simpson seconded a motion to have TDS Telecom provide phone service and internet service to the City of Danube as quoted. The motion carried unanimously.
Printer/Copier/Fax Quotes
Clerk Wilson included a couple quotes for a new multi function printer/copier/fax machine. Both machines are HPs. One costs $1634.00 and one costs $699.00. Monthly service contracts are also available for parts, labor, travel, and toner. The council would like the clerk to check with Bennett Office Products and then use her best judgment and purchase a machine for around $700.
Councilmember Strunc moved and Councilmember Bentley seconded a motion to have Clerk Wilson use her best judgment to purchase a multifunction printing machine in the price range of $700 with a $30 service contract. The motion carried unanimously.
Approve Door Open Between Bar & Hall
Councilmember Strunc moved and Councilmember Simpson seconded a motion to approve the door between Millers on Main Bar & Grill and the Community Center to be open on Friday, April 15, 2011 for the DAAC Steak and Shrimp Fry. The motion carried unanimously.
Sample Sump Pump Ordinance
Due to the fact that Clerk Wilson is still collecting information, this agenda item will be tabled until the next meeting.
School Rental
Dee Albright approached Clerk Wilson about a price for using the gym to teach a dance class for 6 weeks, one night a week. Albright said the price she pays at other places varies. When she teaches in Willmar, the location charges her 30% of her income. The council wants to makes sure they make enough money to cover the electricity, and the wages to have someone unlock and lock the doors and clean up after each class session. They agreed that 30% is a good number to use.
Adjournment
There being no further business before the council, Councilmember Simpson moved and Councilmember Bentley seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. With all members voting in favor, the meeting was adjourned at 8:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted: Sara Wilson, City Clerk